DALLAS (AP) — The jersey worn by Babe Ruth when he famously called his shot during the 1932 World Series has made headlines after selling for more than $24 million at auction early Sunday morning.

According to Heritage Auctions, the iconic jersey from the New York Yankees slugger was sold for a remarkable $24.12 million after an intense six-hour bidding war in Dallas. The identity of the buyer has not been disclosed, as they wish to remain anonymous.

This sale surpasses the previous record set by a 1952 rookie card of fellow Yankee Mickey Mantle, which sold for $12.6 million in 2022 at the same Dallas-based auction house.

Chris Ivy, director of sports at Heritage, described the jersey as “the most significant piece of American sports memorabilia ever offered at auction.” He emphasized that the enthusiastic bidding was a clear indication that “savvy collectors recognize the importance of this Ruth jersey and what it symbolizes.”

“This extraordinary artifact unites the legend of Babe Ruth with the myth and mystery surrounding his ‘called shot,’” Ivy stated.

The much-debated “called shot” took place during Game 3 of the World Series between the Yankees and the Chicago Cubs on October 1, 1932, at Wrigley Field in Chicago. In the fifth inning of a tense game, Ruth made a gesture pointing during his at-bat, then hit a home run off Cubs pitcher Charlie Root.

Michael Gibbons, director emeritus and historian at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum in Baltimore, remarked, “This is the most dramatic moment in World Series history, and perhaps the most dramatic moment in all of baseball.”

The Yankees won the game 7-5 and went on to sweep the Cubs the following day, clinching the series title.

This was Ruth’s final World Series, and the “called shot” marked his last home run in such a championship, according to Mike Provenzale, production manager for Heritage’s sports department. “When an item is tied to a significant figure and their most memorable moment, that’s what collectors are truly looking for,” Provenzale explained.

Heritage Auctions shared that Ruth gifted the road jersey to a golfing friend in Florida around 1940, where it remained in that family for decades. In the early 1990s, the man’s daughter sold it to a collector. It was later auctioned in 2005 for $940,000 and stayed in a private collection until being consigned to Heritage this year.

For many years, there has been debate about whether Ruth genuinely called the shot. However, Gibbons noted that there is home movie footage of the game showing Ruth pointing, although it’s unclear whether he was directing his gesture at the pitcher, center field, or the Cubs’ bench. Nonetheless, Gibbons asserted that Ruth, known for making predictions, clearly indicated that “something was going to happen on the next pitch, and he made it happen.” He also pointed out that Ruth himself claimed he had called the shot.

“We firmly believe that he did call his shot,” Gibbons stated.

Newsreel footage captures Ruth rounding the bases after his home run and making a gesture toward the Cubs’ bench, which seemed to convey a message of triumph, Gibbons added.

The “called shot” is a remarkable moment in baseball history, reflecting the legacy of a man Gibbons referred to as “the standard-bearer for all of Major League Baseball.”

“He always embodied hope and positivity, something the country could rally behind,” Gibbons said. “And then he capped it all off by calling his shot.”

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Associated Press video journalist Kendria LaFleur contributed to this report.